Population 71,789 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Columbia County
Household size in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Columbia County has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.60 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.0 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.2 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.1 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Columbia County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.1, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.0, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the south.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.4% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Columbia County than nationally: 14.4%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few Florida counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only six of 67.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Columbia County
Renters in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.5% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.4% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.6% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Columbia County own their homes; 27.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 52.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. The renter share has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Columbia County as nationally: 10.6%, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in Florida as a whole (12.5%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.7 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Columbia County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $677 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $794 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $831 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,045 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$369 | +$724 | +$606 |
The median renter in Columbia County pays $1,045 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $369 a month since 2006–10, up 55%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Columbia County
Bachelor's degrees in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Columbia County: 17.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 1.7 points, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.6% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.5% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.5% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.2% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Columbia County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.3% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Columbia County than nationally: unemployment was 6.4%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 6.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Columbia County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 2.50 | 42.1 | 14.4% | 27.5% | 10.6% | 1989 | $1,045 | 17.0% | 86.2% | 6.4% |
| Union County | 2.59 | 37.6 | 11.5% | 25.3% | 11.3% | 1991 | $942 | 12.6% | 82.4% | 5.5% |
| Suwannee County | 2.76 | 44.3 | 13.1% | 25.1% | 16.0% | 1991 | $911 | 16.7% | 85.5% | 5.6% |
| Baker County | 2.89 | 35.3 | 8.9% | 14.9% | 10.8% | 1996 | $1,327 | 18.1% | 87.5% | 4.7% |
| Lafayette County | 2.91 | 42.0 | 9.4% | 22.8% | 16.1% | 1990 | $843 | 10.3% | 82.4% | 14.8% |
| Clay County | 2.75 | 41.3 | 10.5% | 24.1% | 6.7% | 1995 | $1,739 | 27.9% | 92.5% | 3.7% |
| Taylor County | 2.41 | 44.4 | 16.5% | 24.0% | 25.3% | 1984 | $1,016 | 19.0% | 88.1% | 5.2% |
| Duval County | 2.49 | 38.5 | 13.6% | 41.8% | 9.2% | 1986 | $1,601 | 33.9% | 91.0% | 4.6% |
| Wakulla County | 2.61 | 42.0 | 13.1% | 18.1% | 11.8% | 1998 | $1,150 | 24.6% | 89.8% | 3.1% |
| Bay County | 2.39 | 41.3 | 11.3% | 33.2% | 17.3% | 1993 | $1,495 | 29.1% | 91.3% | 3.8% |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | 2.81 | 39.5 | 20.9% | 22.5% | 16.1% | 1985 | $1,434 | 20.0% | 86.7% | 10.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Starr County, TX · Scioto County, OH · Shiawassee County, MI · Somerset County, PA · Grant County, IN · St. Francois County, MO · Georgetown County, SC · St. Joseph County, MI · Garfield County, CO · Sauk County, WI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Columbia County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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